A Journey of Health and Community
How do you burn an average of 13.9 calories in less than 10 min? How do you achieve all the benefits listed below – At zero cost to you or the environment?
- Enhance Mental focus
- Reduce Stress
- Raise Heart Rate
- Toned Muscles
- Improve Flexibility
- Booste Immune System
- Integrate Breath and Movement
- Sharpene intellect, intuition
- Get relief from depression and anxiety
Yes! It’s just one set of Surya Namaskar – or as more popularly coined ‘Sun Salutations’ in the West.
While modern research and Western medical science are preaching about the boundless benefits of yoga; in today’s fast-paced world, finding time for self-care can seem impossible, especially for teenagers, busy parents, and professionals. But yes! You can get one complete set down in under 10 min and get all the benefits above, plus more.
Significant of Surya Namaskar in January
Traditionally celebrated on January 15th (previously on January 14th) Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere. So what better time of the year than Sankranti to create new health resolutions or delve deeper into our yoga practices? Sankranti is celebrated with a variety of different names, such as Lohri, Pongal, Bihu, etc. The sun, the source of life on our planet, urges us to harness its energy during this important transitional time. Embracing the sun’s nourishing power through spiritual practices, such as pranayama and aasan is paramount all year around, but has enormous benefits when specially practiced at this time of the year. The auspicious time following Sankranti is ideal to meditate and elevate one’s spiritual growth.
Surya Namaskar Yagya
As Sankranti approaches, HSS (Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh) volunteers across the nation unite to channel their collective energies towards Surya Namaskar Yagya (SNY). One of HSS’s core principles is to strengthen our community’s collective mental and physical strength, and its volunteers wholeheartedly embrace this principle. HSS Sevaks and Sevikas (volunteers) dedicate their weekends and work days to the Yagya (sacrifice) of serving humanity. The significance of the 2024 SNY has been unprecedented. In his inaugural address at the national kickoff celebrations, Manneeya Saumitra ji reminded us of the lineage of Lord Rama as a Suryavanshi, a descendant of the sun lineage. The pran pratishtha (consecration) of Rama Lalla’s murti at Ayodhya, after a 500-year wait, was a momentous occasion in itself. What added to the festivity was the timing of the event. The pran pratishtha occurred at an auspicious time of Surya Namaskar Yagya being conducted when the sun’s blessings were being sought.